Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/series/breaking-free-from-narcissistic-abuse/ Confused by your relationship? Do you catch yourself second-guessing, walking on eggshells, or feeling emotionally drained? Whether you’re still in the chaos or trying to rebuild after leaving, this podcast is your lifeline.Join retired psychologist Dr. Kerry McAvoy as she exposes the hidden dynamics of toxic relationships. You’ll learn how destructive personalities operate, the manipulative tactics they use, and the stages of abuse—plus the practical steps to heal and reclaim your life.If you’re ready to break free, rebuild your self-worth, and find lasting emotional freedom, hit play and start your recovery journey today. Tue, 20 Oct 2026 01:30:46 +0000 en © 2025 Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse all about creating healthier relationships Kerry McAvoy, Ph.D. episodic Confused by your relationship? Do you catch yourself second-guessing, walking on eggshells, or feeling emotionally drained? Whether you’re still in the chaos or trying to rebuild after leaving, this podcast is your lifeline.Join retired psychologist Dr. Kerry McAvoy as she exposes the hidden dynamics of toxic relationships. You’ll learn how destructive personalities operate, the manipulative tactics they use, and the stages of abuse—plus the practical steps to heal and reclaim your life.If you’re ready to break free, rebuild your self-worth, and find lasting emotional freedom, hit play and start your recovery journey today. Kerry McAvoy, Ph.D. hello@breakingfreenarcissisticabuse.com false https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/igt4bmhu45618wxmbwax5ralrotn-1.jpg Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/series/breaking-free-from-narcissistic-abuse/ hello@breakingfreenarcissisticabuse.com Confused by your relationship? Do you catch yourself second-guessing, walking on eggshells, or feeling emotionally drained? Whether you’re still in the chaos or trying to rebuild after leaving, this podcast is your lifeline.Join retired psychologist Dr. Kerry McAvoy as she exposes the hidden dynamics of toxic relationships. You’ll learn how destructive personalities operate, the manipulative tactics they use, and the stages of abuse—plus the practical steps to heal and reclaim your life.If you’re ready to break free, rebuild your self-worth, and find lasting emotional freedom, hit play and start your recovery journey today. No 5cd80628-9064-584b-aef9-be48a76624eb https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 They Told You Who They Were on the First Date: The Narcissist Red Flags No One Taught You to Hear https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/they-told-you-who-they-were-on-the-first-date-the-narcissist-red-flags-no-one-taught-you-to-hear/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/they-told-you-who-they-were-on-the-first-date-the-narcissist-red-flags-no-one-taught-you-to-hear/ Feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Get my free guide, Still Torn? 7 Signs You’re Emotionally Trapped: https://7-signs.subscribepage.io/ They didn’t hide who they were. They told you on the first date—it’s just that nobody ever gave you the dictionary to read it. In this highlight from Kerry’s weekly live Q&A, she walks through the language ... Read more

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]]> Feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Get my free guide, Still Torn? 7 Signs You’re Emotionally Trapped: https://7-signs.subscribepage.io/ They didn’t hide who they were. They told you on the first date—it’s just that nobody ever gave you the dictionary to read it. In this highlight from Kerry’s weekly live Q&A, she walks through the language ... Read more

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]]> https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Viewers-Stories-Square-Cover-Art-3.png They Told You Who They Were on the First Date: The Narcissist Red Flags No One Taught You to Hear false no 00:21:07 No no Why Narcissists Need Ongoing Drama: It’s All About Keeping You Exhausted & Under Control https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/why-narcissists-need-ongoing-drama-its-all-about-keeping-you-exhausted-under-control/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/why-narcissists-need-ongoing-drama-its-all-about-keeping-you-exhausted-under-control/ Feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Get my free guide, Still Torn? 7 Signs You’re Emotionally Trapped: https://7-signs.subscribepage.io/ Have you noticed how the narcissist’s apology never is an apology? How yesterday’s fight get rewritten so you’re the villain? In this episode, Kerry and Lynn Strathdee expose the hidden mechanics behind chronic antagonism. Why some narcissists ... Read more

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]]> Feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Get my free guide, Still Torn? 7 Signs You’re Emotionally Trapped: https://7-signs.subscribepage.io/ Have you noticed how the narcissist’s apology never is an apology? How yesterday’s fight get rewritten so you’re the villain? In this episode, Kerry and Lynn Strathdee expose the hidden mechanics behind chronic antagonism. Why some narcissists ... Read more

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]]> https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Podcast-Thumbnail-Template-1.png Why Narcissists Need Ongoing Drama: It’s All About Keeping You Exhausted & Under Control false no 00:29:13 No no Reactive Abuse: 4 Questions That Reveal Who Was Really the Dangerous One in the Room https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/reactive-abuse-4-questions-that-reveal-who-was-really-the-dangerous-one-in-the-room/ Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/reactive-abuse-4-questions-that-reveal-who-was-really-the-dangerous-one-in-the-room/ ARE YOU FEELING STUCK?Take the FREE “Toxic or Troubled?” survey to discover your relationship type and get instant access to a complete, private mini-course—educational overviews, reflective questions, grounding techniques, and new strategies tailored to your situation.▶ Start here: https://kerrymcavoyphd.fillout.com/toxic-troubled-survey Reactive abuse isn't a sign you've become the abusive one. It's the predictable end of a ... Read more

The post Reactive Abuse: 4 Questions That Reveal Who Was Really the Dangerous One in the Room appeared first on Kerry McAvoy, PhD.

]]> ARE YOU FEELING STUCK?Take the FREE “Toxic or Troubled?” survey to discover your relationship type and get instant access to a complete, private mini-course—educational overviews, reflective questions, grounding techniques, and new strategies tailored to your situation.▶ Start here: https://kerrymcavoyphd.fillout.com/toxic-troubled-survey Reactive abuse isn't a sign you've become the abusive one. It's the predictable end of a ... Read more

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]]> https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Viewers-Stories-Square-Cover-Art-1.png Reactive Abuse: 4 Questions That Reveal Who Was Really the Dangerous One in the Room false no 00:26:50 No no Dr. Les Carter: Stop Trying to Make a Narcissist Understand You — Do This Instead https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/dr-les-carter-stop-trying-to-make-a-narcissist-understand-you-do-this-instead/ Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000 18dd9423-590b-5bdd-b2e5-94a26e3f80ba Are You Feeling Stuck? Take my FREE “Toxic or Troubled?” survey to discover your relationship type and get instant access to a complete, private mini-course—educational overviews, reflective questions, grounding techniques, and new strategies tailored to your situation. ▶ Start here: https://kerrymcavoyphd.fillout.com/toxic-troubled-survey —— What if every explanation you offer becomes ammunition? Have you noticed how a narcissist stays one-up without ever having to raise their voice In this...

The post Dr. Les Carter: Stop Trying to Make a Narcissist Understand You — Do This Instead appeared first on Kerry McAvoy, PhD.

]]> Are You Feeling Stuck? Take my FREE “Toxic or Troubled?” survey to discover your relationship type and get instant access to a complete, private mini-course—educational overviews, reflective questions, grounding techniques, and new strategies tailored to your situation. ▶ Start here: https://kerrymcavoyphd.fillout.com/toxic-troubled-survey —— What if every explanation you offer becomes ammunition? Have you noticed how a narcissist stays one-up without ever having to raise their voice In this...

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]]> https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Podcast-Thumbnail-Template.png Dr. Les Carter: Stop Trying to Make a Narcissist Understand You — Do This Instead false no 00:32:27 No no They Didn’t Miss You, They Ran Out of Money: How Hoovering Actually Works https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/they-didnt-miss-you-they-ran-out-of-money-how-hoovering-actually-works/ Thu, 01 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000 https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/they-didnt-miss-you-they-ran-out-of-money-how-hoovering-actually-works/ Future faking hoovering isn't a change of heart. It's a second round of grooming, aimed at exactly what the first round wanted. In this highlight from Kerry's weekly live Q&A, she takes on what's actually happening when someone shows up with flowers, apologies and a raked pile of leaves after months of silence — and why the answer has almost nothing to do with you. In this episode: • Why not being hoovered is a read on what you had left to give • Hoovering is a role vacancy, not a longi...

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]]> Future faking hoovering isn't a change of heart. It's a second round of grooming, aimed at exactly what the first round wanted. In this highlight from Kerry's weekly live Q&A, she takes on what's actually happening when someone shows up with flowers, apologies and a raked pile of leaves after months of silence — and why the answer has almost nothing to do with you. In this episode: • Why not being hoovered is a read on what you had left to give • Hoovering is a role vacancy, not a longi...

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]]> https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Viewers-Stories-Square-Cover-Art.png They Didn’t Miss You, They Ran Out of Money: How Hoovering Actually Works false no 00:21:04 No no Narcissist, Psychopath, or Sadist? Does Naming Your Abuser’s Personality Type Actually Help? https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/i-asked-ai-to-diagnose-my-ex-like-a-psychiatrist-the-report-floored-me/ Mon, 28 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000 5ef05f85-8eb4-5b7d-929f-0d73aa12ef45 What if naming the disorder never actually got you out? And what if the thing you've been calling proof was really just a way to feel in control? In this episode, Kerry and co-host Lynn Strathdee take on the debate splitting the recovery world right now — one universal predator type, or many distinct subtypes. You can know exactly what someone is and stay anyway. You can't choose your neighbor, your coworker, or the parent sitting next to you at the PTA meeting. Understanding the diagnosis ...

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]]> What if naming the disorder never actually got you out? And what if the thing you've been calling proof was really just a way to feel in control? In this episode, Kerry and co-host Lynn Strathdee take on the debate splitting the recovery world right now — one universal predator type, or many distinct subtypes. You can know exactly what someone is and stay anyway. You can't choose your neighbor, your coworker, or the parent sitting next to you at the PTA meeting. Understanding the diagnosis ...

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]]> https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Podcast-Thumbnail-Template-3.png Narcissist, Psychopath, or Sadist? Does Naming Your Abuser’s Personality Type Actually Help? false no 00:29:30 No no Gray Divorce and the 30-Year Con: Why Covert Narcissists Never Wanted You to Leave https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/gray-divorce-and-the-30-year-con-why-covert-narcissists-never-wanted-you-to-leave/ Thu, 24 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000 https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/gray-divorce-and-the-30-year-con-why-covert-narcissists-never-wanted-you-to-leave/ Gray divorce isn't a midlife crisis. For a lot of people, it's the end of a con that ran for decades. When researchers ask why people divorce after 50, the top answer from women isn't money or infidelity — it was abuse. In this highlight from Kerry's weekly live Q&A, she takes on why so many people stay in psychologically abusive marriages for 20 or 30 years, and why leaving late isn't a failure of judgment. In this episode: * Why boomers are divorcing at four times the rate of 1...

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]]> Gray divorce isn't a midlife crisis. For a lot of people, it's the end of a con that ran for decades. When researchers ask why people divorce after 50, the top answer from women isn't money or infidelity — it was abuse. In this highlight from Kerry's weekly live Q&A, she takes on why so many people stay in psychologically abusive marriages for 20 or 30 years, and why leaving late isn't a failure of judgment. In this episode: * Why boomers are divorcing at four times the rate of 1...

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]]> https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Viewers-Stories-Square-Cover-Art-2.png Gray Divorce and the 30-Year Con: Why Covert Narcissists Never Wanted You to Leave false no 00:19:18 No no Narcissistic Love Withdrawal: Why You Chase Their Affection and Lose Yourself https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/how-human-predators-brainwash-you-the-tactics-science-missed-dr-karen-mitchell/ Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000 https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/how-human-predators-brainwash-you-the-tactics-science-missed-dr-karen-mitchell/ Why did you do things you swore you'd never do, just to get their love back? In this episode, Kerry and researcher Dr. Karen Mitchell unpack why affection from a narcissistic or predatory partner can feel like a drug. It's intense and strategic, and then it's suddenly withdrawn. They also explore who predatory people target: honest, kind-hearted people. And why recovery can take years. This was never about you being weak. The pull you felt was engineered, and understanding it is how you...

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]]> Why did you do things you swore you'd never do, just to get their love back? In this episode, Kerry and researcher Dr. Karen Mitchell unpack why affection from a narcissistic or predatory partner can feel like a drug. It's intense and strategic, and then it's suddenly withdrawn. They also explore who predatory people target: honest, kind-hearted people. And why recovery can take years. This was never about you being weak. The pull you felt was engineered, and understanding it is how you...

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]]> https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Podcast-Thumbnail-Template-2.png Narcissistic Love Withdrawal: Why You Chase Their Affection and Lose Yourself false no 00:43:16 No no DARVO Exposed: How Manipulators Make YOU the Abuser When You Confront Them https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/darvo-exposed-how-manipulators-make-you-the-abuser-when-you-confront-them/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000 https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/darvo-exposed-how-manipulators-make-you-the-abuser-when-you-confront-them/ Why did the narcissist’s collapse look so real — curled on the floor, shaking, sweating, begging you not to leave — yet nothing changed after? What looks like a breakdown is often a temporary loss of status, not a loss of identity — the defensive structure drops for 30 seconds, then rapidly reconsolidates and the manipulation continues. This is a highlight from a recent live Q&A, repurposed here as our second weekly podcast segment. In this episode, Kerry unpacks the hidden mechanics be...

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]]> Why did the narcissist’s collapse look so real — curled on the floor, shaking, sweating, begging you not to leave — yet nothing changed after? What looks like a breakdown is often a temporary loss of status, not a loss of identity — the defensive structure drops for 30 seconds, then rapidly reconsolidates and the manipulation continues. This is a highlight from a recent live Q&A, repurposed here as our second weekly podcast segment. In this episode, Kerry unpacks the hidden mechanics be...

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]]> https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Viewers-Stories-Square-Cover-Art.png DARVO Exposed: How Manipulators Make YOU the Abuser When You Confront Them false no 00:17:30 No no Why Narcissists Ruin Your Sleep: Don’t Miss This Nasty Bedtime Control Tactic https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/why-narcissists-ruin-your-sleep-dont-miss-this-nasty-bedtime-control-tactic/ Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000 https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/podcast/why-narcissists-ruin-your-sleep-dont-miss-this-nasty-bedtime-control-tactic/ What if the reason you feel like you're always “nagging” has nothing to do with you being difficult — and everything to do with deliberate provocation? In this episode, Dr. Kerry McAvoy and Lynn Strathdee break down the hidden mechanics behind pathological provocation — why abusers poke, prod, and sabotage your boundaries at bedtime and beyond. How they insist on misunderstanding you, wear you down, and then recast you as the “whining nag” to make themselves the victim. This isn’t about the ...

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]]> What if the reason you feel like you're always “nagging” has nothing to do with you being difficult — and everything to do with deliberate provocation? In this episode, Dr. Kerry McAvoy and Lynn Strathdee break down the hidden mechanics behind pathological provocation — why abusers poke, prod, and sabotage your boundaries at bedtime and beyond. How they insist on misunderstanding you, wear you down, and then recast you as the “whining nag” to make themselves the victim. This isn’t about the ...

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]]> https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Podcast-Thumbnail-Template-1.png Why Narcissists Ruin Your Sleep: Don’t Miss This Nasty Bedtime Control Tactic false no 00:27:21 No no